All things considered, I think it's OK. There was literally nothing they could do that wasn't going to be jarring to most fans. When I think about my Minnesota teams, a name change would be jarring to me (even if it was the Wild). No matter how good the name and identity, calling the Twins anything else would take some serious getting used to. Therefore, I think it makes sense that:
The colors and general identity are reminiscent of the current team. That continuity is important.
Guardians has a similar cadence to the old name.
My two cents:
Name: OK. Like I said, the cadence works (Drop "In," add "Guar," keep "dians").
Colors: They had no choice, in my opinion. It's not their problem that so many teams have similar colors. They needed to keep the continuity. And it looks fine. Don't worry about it; I'm sure they'll be wearing a Nike "city" jersey 50 times a year (maybe inspired by the Cuyahoga River fire).
Wordmarks: OK. I actually think they should have gone for more continuity with a smoother wordmark, particularly the "Guardians" one. But it makes the "Cleveland" mark less boring, I suppose.
Cap: Nice. The current "C" hat has been begging for white from day 1. The contrast on their hats messed with my eyes. Glad they fixed that problem.
"G" Logo: The only truly awful part of this. The 3D aspect of the logo implies that on the other side, there's a backwards-facing G. It's just bad.
I'm glad they sidestepped potential "expansionesque" landmines of "kewl" new colors; they're a 120-year old team. Overall they did about as well as they could, minus the winged logo.
I think if they had dug their heels in on Chief Wahoo so much and for so long, they could have maybe kept the name.
So this took about a year. Why is the Washington Football Team still not doing anything? (Probably Dan Snyder is waiting for Trump to get reinstated and "political correctness" to go away).
I wonder what the point of that flying G logo is? Most MLB teams go by their letter-mark, which would be the C (which IMO is a large improvement over the current Block-C).
Maybe it will be used as a sleeve patch or a logo on some sort of alternate-hat, or on the breast of a pin-striped Sunday vest jersey or something? MLB isn't really too much into secondary logos.
Hopefully they can somehow blend the guardians moniker in with some of their retro-uniforms so they can still dabble in that.
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Kat
There's a lot to be said for nowhere. Posts: 4,772
Just want to say that I love the new name for Cleveland. Other cities in need of a new name for a sports team are going to be very unhappy they didn't choose Guardians first. Good job, Cleveland.
Should have been the Rockers. Baseball bat as a turntable arm logo, or a bat smashing records, drum kit with bats for drumsticks, something. Guardians? Guardians of what, exactly? Me no like.
Should have been the Rockers. Baseball bat as a turntable arm logo, or a bat smashing records, drum kit with bats for drumsticks, something. Guardians? Guardians of what, exactly? Me no like.
Cleveland Rockers.
it comes from these
I honestly would have hated the Rockers. I would never be able to not think of the Roller Games team
All we would need are the T-Birds and Bad Attitude and we would be all set
Should have been the Rockers. Baseball bat as a turntable arm logo, or a bat smashing records, drum kit with bats for drumsticks, something. Guardians? Guardians of what, exactly? Me no like.
Cleveland Rockers.
it comes from these
I honestly would have hated the Rockers. I would never be able to not think of the Roller Games team
All we would need are the T-Birds and Bad Attitude and we would be all set
That's the Hope Memorial Bridge, crossing the burning Cuyahoga. Everyone takes the interstates into the city so I don't know why they would key off this. Dead Man's Curve on I-90 is more famous. Connecting the name to THAT would have been more interesting.
I dont think the density of vehicular traffic over the bridge matters. Lots of people wanted to name it after the R&RHOF and nobody drives through that to go to games.
Its likely a huge motivation for the name change is the general continuity between Indians and Guardians.
I dont think the density of vehicular traffic over the bridge matters. Lots of people wanted to name it after the R&RHOF and nobody drives through that to go to games.
Its likely a huge motivation for the name change is the general continuity between Indians and Guardians.
I"m saying no one drives that road so frankly no one even sees those things. It's pretty obscure honestly. When I saw the name, no way did I think about this bridge. Never occurred to me until you showed me the picture. Cleveland has used the "Home of Rock and Roll" as its calling card for decades. WMMS for years was voted the best rock station in the nation and that was their calling card. So the connectino between rock and Cleveland is way more clear than "guardians". That being said, Rockers was a bad name too.
As usual, Cleveland disappoints. Truly awful name.
Oh...I see now that a lot of people don't like the new name. Well, as someone who has played Destiny for more than 7 years as a Guardian....I just wanted to say I like the name. It has a noble feel to it. It may take time but I hope it grows on everyone else. Also, I would have liked Rockers too.
Should have been the Rockers. Baseball bat as a turntable arm logo, or a bat smashing records, drum kit with bats for drumsticks, something. Guardians? Guardians of what, exactly? Me no like.
Cleveland Rockers.
it comes from these
I honestly would have hated the Rockers. I would never be able to not think of the Roller Games team
All we would need are the T-Birds and Bad Attitude and we would be all set
Who are those guys/gals? Statues of native Americans, religious folks, hybrids of something? Still don't like it. Guardians seems too static. Baseball is a "slow" sport but still. Maybe it'll grow on me but I'm doubtful. I like the suggestion of Blues as that has a nice ring and connotation to it but St. Louis would be mooing. Thanks for the info. Now I might try to find out who those folks are.
Should have been the Rockers. Baseball bat as a turntable arm logo, or a bat smashing records, drum kit with bats for drumsticks, something. Guardians? Guardians of what, exactly? Me no like.
So, after doing a little google machining, I found out the "Guardians" are the guardians of traffic. Who their/there/they're modeled after is still unknown. That said, the stone mason who did the sculptures was the father of Bob Hope. A better name would have been the Cleveland Comedians or the Cleveland Laughingstocks.
So, after doing a little google machining, I found out the "Guardians" are the guardians of traffic. Who their/there/they're modeled after is still unknown. That said, the stone mason who did the sculptures was the father of Bob Hope. A better name would have been the Cleveland Comedians or the Cleveland Laughingstocks.
This just came.. The only thing I took from it is that the Tribe's last WS title is 1948 and that will never change.
A
Letter From Paul Dolan
To
our fans,
As a fifth generation Clevelander, I understand the historic
impact and importance of the decision to change our team name. Like most of
you, I grew up with the name Indians. My first Indians heroes were the great
Rocky Colavito and Sonny Siebert. My bond to the Tribe was secured then and
my fandom has only grown over the years. The successes we enjoyed and shared
in the last three decades as Indians – the World Series appearances, Cy Young
Award winners, longest win streak in MLB history, and so many other great
accomplishments will always be unforgettable Indians memories for all of us.
Those memories do not diminish with a new name. Indians will
always be part of our history just as Cleveland has always been the most
important part of our identity.
In searching for a new brand, we sought a name that strongly
reflects the pride, resiliency and loyalty of Clevelanders. Guardians
embodies those defining attributes while drawing upon the iconic Guardians of
Traffic proudly standing just outside Progressive Field on the Hope Memorial
Bridge. It brings to life the pride Clevelanders take in our city and the way
we stand for each other while defending our Cleveland baseball family.
We acknowledge the name change will be difficult for many of
us, and the transition will take time. It is our hope and belief this change
will divert us from a divisive path, and instead steer us towards a future
where our fans, city, and region are all united as Cleveland Guardians.
We didn't get to this name or our design elements lightly.
Since the announcement to change the name in December, our team has been hard
at work to ensure we pick a name that our fans and players will be proud to
have represent Cleveland Baseball for the next 100-plus years.
Throughout this process, we surveyed more than 40,000 fans
and conducted 140 hours of interviews with fans, community leaders and front
office personnel. Through all our research and discussions, we identified a
few key themes that were most important to fans – connect to the city of
Cleveland, unite our community, and honor our rich baseball history.
Therefore, while the name will be new, we will maintain elements of
continuity to emphasize the ongoing connection our past will have with our
future. Our colors and uniform mix are remaining the same, so our on-field
look will feel very similar in 2022. If you’d like to learn more about the
design marks, please visit our team name microsite MLB.com/CLEteamname.
So what's next? We will finish the 2021 season as the
Cleveland Indians and will then look to launch as the Cleveland Guardians at
the conclusion of the season. We are excited to usher in the next chapter of
our franchise's long history in this city, and I am looking forward to the
next generation of memories that friends, families and this city will all
make together. I am sincerely thankful to everyone who has supported us
throughout this process. Our fans and our community are the reason we exist,
and as Guardians, we will continue to strive to unite and inspire this city
through the power of team.
2010: Cleveland 2012: Atlanta 2013: London ONT / Wrigley Field / Pittsburgh / Buffalo / San Diego / Los Angeles I / Los Angeles II 2014: Cincinnati / St. Louis / Tulsa / Lincoln / Detroit / Denver 2015: New York City 2016: Ft. Lauderdale / Miami / Jacksonville / Greenville / Hampton / Columbia / Lexington / Philly II / New York City II / Toronto II / Bonnaroo / Telluride / Fenway I / Wrigley I / Wrigley - II / TOTD - Philadelphia, San Francisco 2017: Ohana Fest (EV) 2018: Amsterdam I / Amsterdam II / Seattle I / Seattle II / Boston I / Boston II 2021: Asbury Park / Ohana Encore 1 / Ohana Encore 2 2022: Phoenix / LA I / LA II / Quebec City / Ottawa / New York City / Camden / Nashville / St. Louis / Denver 2023: St. Paul II
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brianlux
Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,732
Kids will love it:
Most adults will think its dumb.
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
Comments
I wonder what the point of that flying G logo is? Most MLB teams go by their letter-mark, which would be the C (which IMO is a large improvement over the current Block-C).
Maybe it will be used as a sleeve patch or a logo on some sort of alternate-hat, or on the breast of a pin-striped Sunday vest jersey or something? MLB isn't really too much into secondary logos.
Hopefully they can somehow blend the guardians moniker in with some of their retro-uniforms so they can still dabble in that.
Cleveland Rockers.
Libtardaplorable©. And proud of it.
Brilliantati©
I honestly would have hated the Rockers. I would never be able to not think of the Roller Games team
All we would need are the T-Birds and Bad Attitude and we would be all set
Its likely a huge motivation for the name change is the general continuity between Indians and Guardians.
I wonder if the St Louis hockey team would cry though
Also, I would have liked Rockers too.
Libtardaplorable©. And proud of it.
Brilliantati©
Libtardaplorable©. And proud of it.
Brilliantati©
A Letter From Paul Dolan
To our fans,
As a fifth generation Clevelander, I understand the historic impact and importance of the decision to change our team name. Like most of you, I grew up with the name Indians. My first Indians heroes were the great Rocky Colavito and Sonny Siebert. My bond to the Tribe was secured then and my fandom has only grown over the years. The successes we enjoyed and shared in the last three decades as Indians – the World Series appearances, Cy Young Award winners, longest win streak in MLB history, and so many other great accomplishments will always be unforgettable Indians memories for all of us.
Those memories do not diminish with a new name. Indians will always be part of our history just as Cleveland has always been the most important part of our identity.
In searching for a new brand, we sought a name that strongly reflects the pride, resiliency and loyalty of Clevelanders. Guardians embodies those defining attributes while drawing upon the iconic Guardians of Traffic proudly standing just outside Progressive Field on the Hope Memorial Bridge. It brings to life the pride Clevelanders take in our city and the way we stand for each other while defending our Cleveland baseball family.
We acknowledge the name change will be difficult for many of us, and the transition will take time. It is our hope and belief this change will divert us from a divisive path, and instead steer us towards a future where our fans, city, and region are all united as Cleveland Guardians.
We didn't get to this name or our design elements lightly. Since the announcement to change the name in December, our team has been hard at work to ensure we pick a name that our fans and players will be proud to have represent Cleveland Baseball for the next 100-plus years.
Throughout this process, we surveyed more than 40,000 fans and conducted 140 hours of interviews with fans, community leaders and front office personnel. Through all our research and discussions, we identified a few key themes that were most important to fans – connect to the city of Cleveland, unite our community, and honor our rich baseball history. Therefore, while the name will be new, we will maintain elements of continuity to emphasize the ongoing connection our past will have with our future. Our colors and uniform mix are remaining the same, so our on-field look will feel very similar in 2022. If you’d like to learn more about the design marks, please visit our team name microsite MLB.com/CLEteamname.
So what's next? We will finish the 2021 season as the Cleveland Indians and will then look to launch as the Cleveland Guardians at the conclusion of the season. We are excited to usher in the next chapter of our franchise's long history in this city, and I am looking forward to the next generation of memories that friends, families and this city will all make together. I am sincerely thankful to everyone who has supported us throughout this process. Our fans and our community are the reason we exist, and as Guardians, we will continue to strive to unite and inspire this city through the power of team.
Thank you
Paul Dolan
Owner/Chief Executive Officer
Learn More
2012: Atlanta
2013: London ONT / Wrigley Field / Pittsburgh / Buffalo / San Diego / Los Angeles I / Los Angeles II
2014: Cincinnati / St. Louis / Tulsa / Lincoln / Detroit / Denver
2015: New York City
2016: Ft. Lauderdale / Miami / Jacksonville / Greenville / Hampton / Columbia / Lexington / Philly II / New York City II / Toronto II / Bonnaroo / Telluride / Fenway I / Wrigley I / Wrigley - II / TOTD - Philadelphia, San Francisco
2017: Ohana Fest (EV)
2018: Amsterdam I / Amsterdam II / Seattle I / Seattle II / Boston I / Boston II
2021: Asbury Park / Ohana Encore 1 / Ohana Encore 2
2022: Phoenix / LA I / LA II / Quebec City / Ottawa / New York City / Camden / Nashville / St. Louis / Denver
2023: St. Paul II